Sizzling, calm and dry all week till sturdy
easterly winds and rain arrived on Saturday and Sunday. Highest temperatures
recorded was 18° on the third June.
Could is
typically thought-about the top-of-the-line months of the 12 months for migration on
Lundy. This 12 months 96 species have been recorded with highlights together with a
Bluethroat, Wooden Warbler, Osprey, Blue-headed Wagtail and the islands first Mandarin.
A small
flock of 4 Shelduck have been seen flying out of the Touchdown Bay because the MS
Oldenburg arrived on the 2nd after which two have been seen on the third flying up the
East Coast.
A Cuckoo was
current on the island on the thirtieth. It was first seen on the wall by Outdated Gentle
after which later flying over the Pig Stys being chased by a Peregrine earlier than
disappearing down over the East Aspect. Low numbers of Swift have been recorded this
week with three on the 2nd and one on the 4th. Three Collared Dove have been seen
collectively in Millcombe on the fifth, clearly arriving throughout sturdy easterlies on
the 4th. Three Black-headed Gull have been seen within the Touchdown Bay on the 4th.
Dunlin have been
the one notable waders to be seen this week with one on the third and fifth and a
small flock of six on throughout rain and powerful winds on the 4th. One of many
Oystercatcher pairs on Rat Island at the moment are taking care of two small chicks. They
at the moment are at their loudest, calling each time a gull or Crow come close to.
The most effective
hen of prey this week was a Honey Buzzard which flew north over Acklands Moor
on the 2nd. It was additionally seen by guests at Millcombe and the East Coast however
recognized as a pale Frequent Buzzard. The Kestrel pair are nonetheless busy feeding
younger and may be seen hovering over fields everywhere in the south of the island.
It seems
that three pairs of Swallow are nest constructing on the island for the time being, however
we’re nonetheless awaiting the primary eggs. Small numbers of Swallows, Sand Martins
and Home Martins have been passing by way of this week. Two Sand Martins have been
seen on the thirtieth and 2nd, with singles on thirty first and 1st. The best depend of
Home Martins and Swallows was on the first, with 4 and 20 respectively.
A number of late
warblers joined the native breeders this week. Willow Warblers have been recorded on
the thirty first, 1st, 2nd and fifth, while singing Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler have been heard in
Millcombe on the third. A excessive depend of six Chiffchaff on the first and fifth will
doubtless embrace a number of migrant birds in addition to the singing males in Millcombe
and St Helens Copse. A feminine Whitethroat was seen with meals by the Ugly with
one other male nonetheless singing above St John’s Valley.
Two Noticed
Flycatcher have been seen on thirty first, 1st and 2nd with singles on third and fifth. A Black
Redstart was seen by Outdated Gentle within the drizzle on the fifth. Not less than 4 broods
of Robin have been recorded in Millcombe up to now this 12 months with the best
containing three chicks. Wheatear have additionally fledged their first chicks this
week with younger now apparent all alongside the West Coast.
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| Juvenile Wheatear, West Coast © Stuart Cossey |
A Thrush
Nightingale was seen on the West Coast in a moist flush
past Jenny’s Cove on the third. It was first seen at about 8m distance with out
binoculars exhibiting clear streaking on the breast, it then flew revealing a
rufous crimson tail compared to a darker gray brown again. This may be the second report for the island, whether it is accepted by the British Birds Rarities Committee. The primary was ringed in Millcombe in September 1981.
Finches
recorded this week embrace most counts of 5 grownup and 4 juvenile Chaffinch
on the third and 9 grownup and three juvenile Goldfinches on the fifth. Linnet
counts are nonetheless round 30+ inside the Quarter Wall census space. Greenfinch
have been reported on the first and fifth and two Siskin have been flying alongside the East Aspect
on the third.
The primary
Silver Y moths of the 12 months have been recorded on the third in addition to the primary Meadow
Brown. A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was additionally current on the third. The spotlight of the moth traps this week was a Privet Hawk-moth on the evening of the first.
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| Painted Girl © Stuart Cossey |
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| Hummingbird Hawk-moth, Millcombe © Zach Wait |
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| Privet Hawk-moth, Millcombe © Stuart Cossey |
Contributors:
S Cossey, R Ellis, Z Wait, L Pirateque, J Dunning, P Holt, J Holt, R Taylor, R
Taylor, C Baillie